People gather to harvest gat (mustard leaf) in Samcheok, Gangwon, on Oct. 16.YONHAP
Happy Friday! Here are the stories you need to know in Korea.
In today's news, the Kospi's recent plunge has drawn anger from investors toward the Democratic Party. In other stories, we explore Seoul's so-called Islamic Street in Yongsan District, central Seoul. Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Gov. Choo Mi-ae is under fire for her comments in which she called the fire service a "financial drain." ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ
Today's top story
BUSINESS
Kospi plunge and Solidigm listing fears fuel backlash against ruling party
The stock marketβs plunge is casting a shadow over the ruling Democratic Party (DP). When the Kospi topped 9,000 in June, the rally was touted as an achievement of the government and ruling party. But the recent market rout and renewed controversy over duplicate listings have unleashed a wave of complaints from retail investors against the ruling party.
The Kospi tumbled 7.57 percent on Thursday from the previous session and fell for a seventh straight trading day for the first time since September 2024. SK hynix, the countryβs second-largest company by market capitalization, also plunged more than 11 percent, which deepened the shock to the market.
One factor weighing on SK hynix shares was news that Solidigm, a subsidiary launched after SK hynix acquired part of Intelβs business in 2021, is reportedly considering a listing on the Nasdaq.
Under fire: Gyeonggi governor slammed for calling fire service βfinancial drainβ
Firefighters, unions and lawmakers condemned Gov. Choo Mi-ae for her comments during a parliamentary audit where she also called the costs βtroublesome.β
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BTS becomes first group to top 10 billion Spotify streams in a year
BTS surpassed 10 billion Spotify streams this year, powered by its album "Arirang," which has topped 5 billion plays.
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Beauty store or theme park? Olive Young leans into regional narratives, unique experiences to woo tourists.
Osloβs Vice Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik said during a visit that the partnership is a βstrategic decision.β
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'Doctor X' gives doctors a taste of their own medicine β and viewers love it
The scathing, Netflix-topping hospital satire cuts through layers of medical hierarchy like a knife, led by Kim Ji-wonβs fearless freelance surgeon.
